Conceptualizing financial capability: evidence from Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arief Wibisono Lubis

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how microfinance institutions’ clients in Indonesia conceptualize financial capability. Previous investigations on the concept were mostly in the lenses of those in the developed economies. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative method was used, in which focus group discussions (FGDs) and interviews were conducted with microfinance institutions’ clients and management in four provinces in Indonesia: DKI Jakarta, DI Yogyakarta, West Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi. Findings The results exhibit some similarities with those of previous studies that highlight the importance of financial management and financial planning for strategic purposes. However, financial literacies perceived as less important due to the lack of awareness of the concept and its benefits. Research limitations/implications This research is only focused on certain groups of the population which implies its limited generalizability. One important implication is for policymakers and scholars to re-examine the value of financial literacy within the context of Indonesia. Although the interviews reveal skepticisms on the instrumental value of financial literacy, robust investigations are further needed. Originality/value This study is the first that uses the participatory method to define financial capability as understood by microfinance institutions’ clients in Indonesia.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish Kumar ◽  
Sweta Tomar ◽  
Deepak Verma

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the status of the research on women’s financial planning for retirement. This paper provides a brief review of the work carried out so far along with a conceptual framework of factors influencing women’s retirement financial planning. In addition, it lists significant gaps and recommends avenues for future research.Design/methodology/approachThe review is based on 151 articles appearing in various peer-reviewed journals published during 1980–2017. The study establishes its prominence by studying the publication activities based on the year of publication and region, citation analysis, research designs, data analysis techniques and findings from the selected articles.FindingsMost of the literature on women’s financial planning for retirement indicates a lack of financial management amongst women and their susceptibility to poverty in postretirement years. The majority of the research works in this field have taken place in developed economies. Empirical research with regression-based models for analysis is the most popular research design. This review also highlights the significant determinants of women’s retirement financial planning as identified through literature. These include socio-demographic factors, psychological constructs, financial literacy, economic and circumstantial forces.Originality/valueThis paper covers the research works done in this area in the past 38 years. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to provide a systematic and comprehensive compilation of the knowledge in this subject. It further synthesizes the findings of various studies on factors influencing women’s retirement financial planning and gives recommendations for future studies.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa K. Meneau ◽  
Janakiraman Moorthy

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to examine the following two research objectives. The first was to examine the predictive relationships that consumer characteristics of financial literacy, thinking styles and self-control have with a consumer's financial behaviors. The second goal was to ascertain financial management products' ability to aid those consumers who need it the most by weakening the predictive effects of consumer traits on financial behaviors.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed a web-based survey to gather information. The measurement and structural models were analyzed using generalized structured component analysis (GSCA), a component-based structural equation model. The mediation effect of self-control is assessed using the GSCA. The conditional mediation of demographic variables and use of personal financial management products are evaluated using multi-group analysis (MGA) in GSCA.FindingsAntecedents, financial literacy, thinking styles and self-control consumer characteristics are predictors of financial behaviors. However, self-control plays a more prominent role as a mediator between the other variables, strengthening the overall relationship. Also, financial products can have a beneficial moderation effect assisting those consumers who need them the most.Practical implicationsThese insights help in creating target specific financial literacy strategies to influence consumers' financial behaviors. Also, there is a need to develop mechanisms to influence a consumer's self-control and thinking styles to improve financial behavior. In conjunction with other initiatives, the impact of financial literacy has a greater effect on financial behaviors. Further, the insights assist financial institutions and financial technology firms in offering and creating products to help customers make better financial decisions and improve their financial behaviors.Social implicationsThe research addressed a significant global issue – consumer financial health. The Great Recession and the COVID-19 recession highlight the need to focus on the consumer and efforts to improve their financial health.Originality/valueThis research highlighted the mediating role of self-control and suggested that existing and future financial products can positively influence consumer behavior drivers.


2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiing Jia Loke

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to identify the determinants of the probability of living beyond one’s means. The paper also explores the coping mechanisms of those financially distressed as well as the debt taking behaviour of consumers. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses data obtained from the OECD International Network on Financial Education pilot study on Measuring Financial Literacy in 2010 for the case of Malaysia. A logistic regression model is used to identify the main determinants of the probability that a consumer will live beyond his/her means. The analysis is carried out by using a set of socio-economic factors and the individual’s financial behaviour and attitudinal characteristics as explanatory variables. Findings – The findings indicate that low income and seasonal income earners are more vulnerable to financial distress. Furthermore, having a higher education, higher financial knowledge and prudent financial behaviour and attitude do not necessarily translate into better financial management. Family and friends provide the main source of financial assistance in times of need. Research limitations/implications – The assessment of financial knowledge should go beyond individual’s knowledge on financial concepts and theories. Practical knowledge on financial and cash flow management should be assessed. Practical implications – The study reiterates the importance of financial education. It is imperative to include financial education as part of the schools’ curriculum and also to be incorporated as part of the Continuous Professional Development modules for working adults. Originality/value – The study is based on the first nationwide study of consumer finances in Malaysia. It contributes to the literature by integrating financial behaviour and attitudinal factors into the analysis of the ability of individuals to live within their means. The findings also show the limitations of the existing self-assessment of financial behaviour and attitude and the assessment of financial knowledge.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-59
Author(s):  
Januari Ayu Fridayani

The purpose of this research is to contribute to the border area in order to improve the economy, as one of the pillars of national security. This research was conducted in Bengkayang which is one of the regency areas in West Kalimantan. It is directly adjacent to Sarawak, Malaysia. The method used in this study is a qualitative method by carrying out focus group discussions. The material used is about financial literacy and financial behavior as one of the efforts that can be done to improve the economic resilience of a region. The target of this study is housewives, because housewives are important figures in managing family finances. The added value highlighted in this study is the existence of aspects of spirituality that are adapted to the beliefs held by the group studied and synergized in the provision of material, namely the value of amare culture. The results of this study were found to be a phenomenon that although in border areas, the community had received financial literacy education, however it did not get a good response, a lack of implementation of financial literacy had an impact on negative financial behavior patterns, when knowing that financial literacy can be used as a means of manifesting the faith adopted by enthusiastic housewives and giving a positive response.  


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Lamb

Purpose The financially excluded are often denied basic financial services from mainstream banking institutions, leading them to high-cost fringe finance institutions (FFIs) such as payday loan companies and pawnshops. While strategies to address financial exclusion often include financial capabilities education, there does not appear to be evidence suggesting such education is an appropriate solution. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between financial capability and financial exclusion with survey data collected from the Canadian city of Kamloops located in the southern interior of British Columbia. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory research addresses the objective with survey data collected on the banking habits and financial capability levels of fringe finance users in a Canadian city. Findings The results imply that fringe finance users do not have lower levels of financial capability than those who do not use fringe finance, when education and income are controlled. Research limitations/implications Limitations include the relatively small survey sample of 105 people in one urban center in Canada. Originality/value While financial literacy is acknowledged to be an important life skill for all members of society, there is no conclusive evidence suggesting it is a solution to financial exclusion. This is the first research to examine the relationship between financial exclusion and fringe finance use in Canada by collecting data on fringe finance users with face-to-face interviews.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 805-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Jian Xiao ◽  
Nilton Porto

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate roles of financial literacy, financial behavior, and financial capability as mediating factors between financial education and financial satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach Data are from the 2012 National Financial Capability Study, a large national data set with detailed information on financial satisfaction, education, literacy, behavior, capability, and related variables. Mediation analyses are used to answer research questions. Findings Financial education may affect financial satisfaction, a subjective measure of financial well-being, through financial literacy, financial behavior, and financial capability variables. Results show that subjective financial literacy, desirable financial behavior and a financial capability index (a sum of Z-scores of objective financial literacy, subjective financial literacy, desirable financial behavior, and perceived financial capability) are strong mediators between financial education and financial satisfaction. Research limitations/implications The study has used cross sectional data that can only document associations between financial education and satisfaction and the mediators between them. Future research could use relevant longitudinal data to verify multiple benefits of financial education. Practical implications The findings have implications for financial service professionals to take advantages of multiple benefits of financial education in content acquisition, confidence in knowledge and ability, and action taking when they communicate with their clients. Social implications Policy makers on consumer financial education may use the information to advocate and promote effective education programs to improve consumer financial well-being. Originality/value This study is the first of this kind to examine the association between financial education and financial satisfaction and several financial capability variables as mediating factors.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad S. Tahir ◽  
Abdullahi D. Ahmed ◽  
Daniel W. Richards

PurposeThis study aims to test a moderated mediation model for a twofold purpose. First, to examine the mediating role of financial capability (FC) in the association between financial literacy (FL) and financial well-being (FW). Second, to analyze if non-impulsive future-oriented behavior (NIB) moderates the associations of FL with FC and FL with FW.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use the PROCESS macros in IBM SPSS Statistics to test the moderated mediation model and analyze the 2016 wave of the Household, Income and Labor Dynamics in Australia Survey.FindingsThe empirical analysis shows that FC partially mediates the association between FL and FW. Furthermore, the moderated mediation analysis shows that NIB strengthens the associations of FL with FC and FL with FW. Specifically, the positive associations of FL with FC and FL with FW significantly increase for those consumers who score high on NIB.Practical implicationsThe findings have implications for the financial services industry. Professional financial planners can positively improve the ability of consumers to deal with their financial matters by highlighting the importance of FL and NIB.Social implicationsThe study findings suggest educating consumers to discourage impulsive behavior and encourage them to create financial plans as it will enhance their ability to conduct financial tasks efficiently, improving their FW.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to assess a moderated mediation model, which examines the role of FC as a mediator variable and NIB as a moderator variable in the association between FL and FW.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 1433-1450
Author(s):  
Arief Wibisono Lubis

PurposeThis study examines whether financial literacy is a relevant factor that determines authority in household financial decision-making, an area that is often viewed as boring, difficult and full of uncertainties. Cognitive ability and personality traits are also included as additional explanatory variables.Design/methodology/approachThe logistic regression technique was applied using a sample of more than 2,300 microfinance institutions' clients in three provinces in Indonesia.FindingsThis study finds that financial literacy correlates positively with authority in household financial decision-making only among men. This does not mean that financial literacy is irrelevant for women's agency, since the skill might be important for authorities in other decision-making areas, including those outside households. Meanwhile, the relationship between cognitive ability and household financial decision-making authority is more universal.Research limitations/implicationsThis study does not collect information on the levels of financial literacy of other household members and does not capture respondents' perceptions of household financial decision-making.Social implicationsThe overall low level of financial literacy calls for the need for more targeted efforts to address this issue by policymakers. Education policy should also be designed to improve cognitive ability, as this ability is important for human agency and well-being.Originality/valueHousehold decision-making has received significant attention in the literature. Authority in household decision-making is important because it represents a person's agency and has a profound impact on well-being. To the best of author's knowledge, studies on the importance of skills in household financial decision-making are very limited.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olayinka O. Adegbite ◽  
Charles L. Machethe ◽  
C. Leigh Anderson

PurposeThis study aims to develop and apply a multidimensional measure of financial inclusion (FI) to address measurement issues and determine the level of FI of rural smallholder farmers and the contribution of domain indicators to the level of FI in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adapts the Alkire–Foster method to develop a multidimensional FI index (MFII). A stratified two-stage sampling procedure is used to select 2,300 rural respondents from the 2016 Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) Smallholder Household Survey.FindingsResults indicate that 78% of rural smallholder farmers in Nigeria are financially excluded. In addition, owning a formal account is significantly different (p < 0.00) from being financially adequate. The financial capability domain contributes the least (29.66%) to the multidimensional FI (MFI) of rural smallholder farmers relative to financial participation and financial well-being. Financial literacy, consumer protection, overcoming barriers such as high transaction costs and financial planning indicators contribute the least to FI relative to formal access.Practical implicationsResults of the study lead to policy recommendations for increasing the FI of rural smallholder farmers in Nigeria, which may be applicable to other countries.Social implicationsAchieving sustainable FI requires that interventions increase the FI of rural smallholder farmers by strengthening financial capability, participation and well-being and not only focus on formal account owners.Originality/valueThe study provides a new methodological and empirical contribution to the FI literature on rural smallholder farmers.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazlina Mohd Padil ◽  
Eley Suzana Kasim ◽  
Salwa Muda ◽  
Norhidayah Ismail ◽  
Norlaila Md Zin

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between budgeting skills and financial goals and the level of awareness of investment scams among university students. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was administered to university students in Malaysia. A total of 211 responses were received. The data was analysed using partial least square method based on structural equation modelling technique by using SmartPLS-3.0 and SPSS-20 statistical software. Findings Findings indicated that having adequate budgeting skills can significantly affect awareness of investment scam among students. This implies that early financial management education among students should focus on instilling disciplined budgeting habit to prevent them from becoming victims of investment scams. Nevertheless, when examining financial goals among the respondents, the study found that having a clear financial goal does not significantly contribute to their awareness in identifying investment scams. As such, students need to be properly guided in setting their financial objectives such as avoiding unrealistic goals to lead a luxurious lifestyle using “fast and easy” money. Social implications This study recommends that higher education institutions need to work together with relevant regulators and law enforcers in providing necessary financial literacy education as part of the investment scam prevention measures. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature gap on the need to focus on financial literacy in creating awareness towards investment scams among university students.


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